6 Words That Will Change Your LifeSample

As a child, I loved to watch Superman. I couldn’t wait to hear the words “Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" These words cued his entrance to save the day. 

Superman was from another world, but he disguised himself by dressing as nerdy reporter, Clark Kent. Looking like an everyday Joe allowed him to masquerade as a human, but when calamity struck and aliens invaded or monsters attacked, he would find a phone booth and transform into Superman. 

Sometimes, we wrongly view Jesus as Superman; it’s as though we think that Jesus just “dressed up” as a human. We view him as a kind of Jewish Clark Kent.  

Here’s the problem; Jesus is not Superman! Jesus is far more complex and mysterious. He is from heaven AND earth. He is 100% man AND 100% God.  

Most of us tend to really underestimate the humanity of Jesus. But if we look at the Gospels closely, we see that Jesus got hungry (Mark 11:12), thirsty (John 19:28) and tired (John 4:6). He was every bit as human as you and I.  

All it takes to see how fully human Jesus was is to look at His three-hour wrestling match with the Father in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.   

Jesus’ intense struggle in the garden serves as a microcosm for the three+ years of ministry that he battled through in prayer. He found guidance from the Scriptures, depended on the Spirit and found His strength in God – just like us!  

Did Jesus ever sin? No! Hebrews 4:15 makes this clear. But because Jesus suffered, and was tempted, He can empathize with us when we ask Him for help. Jesus absolutely relates with us in our weaknesses, temptations and trials. And He will be there to intercede with the Father on our behalf, as one who relates to our struggles. 

Jesus was God in the flesh.  As a full—and sinless— human, He could die for other humans. As God, His payment for sin was infinite. 

Even beyond salvation, there are amazing implications that flow from this reality. 

Jesus absolutely relates with us in our weaknesses, temptations and trials, and He will be there to intercede with the Father on our behalf, as one who relates to our struggles. 

We have an ally. We have an intercessor. We have a Savior. We don’t need Superman. 

Do you feel like God doesn’t understand your character weaknesses and sin struggles? Read Hebrews 4:15-16. 

Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses. He’s not a judging, blaming, finger-pointing, cosmic policeman. He knows you, understands your struggles, and loves you. Of course, God also loves you too much to leave you where you are in the muck and mud of your sin. That’s why God sent the Holy Spirit. Thank Him for His forgiveness and ask Him to provide the wisdom, power, strength and strategies you’ll need to stand firm when temptation comes your way.